Most Popular Books by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

ILA 2016 Teachers'' Choices Reading List Meet Janine. She is one of a kind! Janine dresses a little different, remembers random facts, reads the dictionary for fun, and has her own style of cheering. Nobody does things the way Janine does things! One girl in Janine''s class is throwing a party and all the COOL kids are invited. But Janine is not cool. Some kids think she is strange and want her to change. Will Janine try to be different or just be her spectacular self? In this charming story, Maryann Cocca-Leffler uses her own daughter as inspiration for a delightfully spunky character. Janine Leffler focuses on the positive while navigating life with disabilities. She has become a role model to children and adults, encouraging them to focus on abilities and promoting respect, tolerance, and kindness.

An inspiring young picture book about overcoming challenges and frustrations with the Power of Yet “I can’t do it!” “Can’t do it yet.” This charming picture book tells the story of one small piglet who uses the Power of Yet to conquer frustration. While it may not be possible to perfectly flip pancakes or play the violin yet, with practice and patience and courage and grit, anything is possible!

The leaves turn red, brown, and orange, then drift down from the trees. It''s time to go apple picking and on hayrides at the county fair. Fall is finally here! With soft, colourful art, adorable children, and seasonal outdoor scenes, Let It Fall celebrates the beauty of autumn.

In this simple rhyming story, three children share the activities of winter, until the first signs of spring appear.

Today is field day and even though Janine is not good at sports, she is ready to compete. Her body just doesn''t work like the other kids''. But no matter what, Janine cheers for everyone and tries her best. During the big race, her classmate Abby trips and falls. Janine is right there to help. But Abby is crushed that she won''t win the race. Can Janine teach Abby and her classmates that being a winner is not always about being number one?

A cat who struggles with social skills learns ways to be honest without being rude. Cat always says what''s on his mind, no matter how much his words may upset others. But when he hears his friends talk about him, Cat realizes that words can hurt, even though that may not be the intention.

Rhymed text and illustrations describe a young girl''s distribution of her valentines.

A shy artist helps her classmates see the beauty in the world around them. Because Marabella is shy, she''s often overlooked. But Marabella doesn’t overlook anything—not the puffy clouds, or the birds in the trees, not even her dancing shadows. When she spies some flowers poking up from weeds in the schoolyard, she decides to draw them big enough for others to notice. Chalk in hand, she fills the blank wall with bright spectacular drawings of the simple moments she has seen, which inspires her classmates to notice the world around them.

Meet Violet. She''s going on vacation to sunny Florida. She packed her bag very carefully. Meet Pooch. He''s going on vacation to Grandpa''s snowy farm. Violet packed his bag very carefully, too. After they both leave, disaster strikes! When their bags get mixed up, Violet thinks Pooch''s vacation will be miserable. But Pooch the dog is having a grand old time, so all is very well!

A perfect picture book for toddlers on the go! All toddlers live by the pleasure principle. For them, fun times always end too soon. So often they either turn a deaf ear to the words "It''s time to say bye-bye" or simply throw a tantrum. What is the solution? In this warm-hearted picture book, Maryann Cocca-Leffler follows a toddler from morning to bedtime, showing that all saying "byebye" really means is that you''re ready to say "hello" to the next fun thing on your "agenda." With a bare minimum of words, and playful artwork, this is one of those rare read-alouds perfect for very young children.

On the first day of school, as the children in Miss Lucinda''s class introduce themselves and name their special talent, Jack wonders if he is good at anything.

Rhyming verses tell the story of jungle animals which decorate for Halloween, dress up for the occasion, and participate in the night''s festivities.

A family decides their Christmas gifts to each other must be homemade rather than store bought.

The everyday sights, sounds and smells of a colorful and bustling city come alive in this book - a child''s view of Boston. Maryann Cocca-Leffler remembers frequent bus trips she took into the city as a girl with her mother and little sister. Together they shopped for delicious treats in the Italian North End - warm pizza and creamy cannoli - or stopped for ice cream sundaes at Bailey''s after a day of bargain hunting at Filene''s Basement. One of the best things about the trips was the bus driver, Bill. He started his route each day in their neighborhood and knew all the kids on the street. In this engaging Parents'' Choice Award book, the author-artist conveys all the warmth and simple pleasure of childhood memories and the people and places that made them so special.

A blizzard might ruin a young girl''s seventh birthday--her party is canceled when the electricity goes out! But a series of fun surprises and optimistic attutides makes this a birthday to remember!

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It''s Valentines Day, and a little girl is making Valentines for her mom and dad. When the cards disappear, she tracks down the culprit—and gets a Valentine surprise herself!

The Best Children''s Books of the Year 2014, Bank Street College On "Mood Monday," students describe their moods after the weekend. But Theo doesn''t know what to say because he has a new baby sister and is feeling so many emotions all at once. It''s Mood Monday and Miss Cady''s class is sharing how they feel after the weekend. But Theo doesn’t know whether he’s in a good mood or a bad mood. He has a new baby sister, and he isn’t just happy like Eric who got a new bike or sad like April who lost her dog. As Theo’s classmates discuss all their feelings, he realizes he’s not in a good mood or a bad mood—he’s both those things!

2013-2014 Show Me Readers Nominee List 2012 Best Children''s Books of the Year, Bank Street College Although she''s always been called Princess at home, Kim is not a real princess, so she decides "From now on, no matter what, I''m only going to tell the truth!" At home, she tells her Dad that the pancakes are rubbery and her Grandma that her new necklace looks the the slimy rocks at the bottom of the fish tank. At school, she''s just as honest...until she learns what too much truth can do.

Carlin, who is frightened by everything, wants to try some of Big Bear''s bravery soup, but first he must travel through a dark forest to a monster''s cave to retrieve an important ingredient.